Collapsible tube cap



T. A. BRIGE GOLLAPSIBLE TUBE CAP June 29, 1937.

Filed July 17, 1956 WITNESS Patented June 29, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT` OFFICE j Y 2,085,629' A* ooLLArsIBLE TUBE CAP `Tulio A. Brige, Caracas, Venezuela*` Application July 17, 1936, serial Nutreco 1 Claim.

The invention relates to a tube cap and more especially to` caps for collapsible tubes for holding paste, powder or other materials, for example, dental toothpaste or powder.

5 The primary object of the invention is the provision of a cap of this character, wherein the saine is fitted with the pouring spout or mouth of a collapsible tube so that when in open `position it will remain connected and in this fashion lo avoiding theloss or misplacement of such cap which is usually the case when the cap is completely separable from the tube and also that is capable of being secured in closing position on the spout or mouth of the tube to avoid loss of the contents thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cap of this character, wherein the construction thereof is novel in that saidl cap can be rotated on the mouth or spout of a collapsible tube for the fastening or unfastening thereof and when unfastened can be moved to a position to permit convenient dispensing of the contents of the tube without complete separation of the cap therefrom. A further object of the invention is the provision of a cap of this character, wherein the same is socketed to t the conical shaped dispensing spout or mouth of a collapsible tube, the said cap being readily and easily manipulated for the opening and closing of such tube.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a cap of this character, which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and effective in operation, convenient for handling, af-

fording a closure for a collapsible tube, readily and easily opened, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction,

combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a fragmentary elevation of a collapsible tube showing a cap constructed in accordance with the invention applied and in open position.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows 55 and showing the cap in closed position.

the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A desig- 10 nates generally a portion of a collapsible tube for containing paste, powder or other material, as for example, toothpaste or tooth powder, and at one end of this tube is an outwardly tapered or conical shaped mouth piece or dispensing spout, 15 nipple or the like I0, it having a delivery passage II leading from the interior of the tube and laterally to one side of saidy mouth, spout, nipple or the like It so that the contents of the tube can be readily discharged or dispensed through 20 this passage II for consumption.

`Adapted to be fitted onto the mouth, spout,

nipple or the like I0 is a closure cap I2 having a conical shaped socket I3 closed at one end and open at the other end and corresponding to the 25 mouth, spout,` nipple or the like I0 for receiving or accommodating `the same. This closed endof the cap I2 has formed therein a circular shaped recess I4 for accommodating the springy head I5 of a double prong link I6 formed from a sin- 30 gle length of wire, the prongs of this link I6 being slidably fitted in a guide way I1 provided in the mouth, spout, nipple or the like I0, it being apparent from Figures 2, 3 and 4 of the drawing that the said cap I2 when intertted 35 with the link I E at its head I5, the said cap I2 can be freely rotated and that the said head I5 is frictionally latched in the recess I4.

One of the prongs of the link I6 is formed with a lateral stop extension I8 engageable with a stop 40 shoulder I9 interiorly of the guide way I'I at the outer end thereof and in this manner the link I6 is limited in its sliding movement in an outward direction within the mouth, spout, nipple or the like I0. The other prong of the link I6 45 is formed with an angularly disposed terminal extension 20 which is rigid yagainst the prong having the stop extension I8 so that these prongs engaged in the guide way I1 will be held separated to effect the effective cooperation of the extension I8 with the shoulder I9 and in this fashion permanently connecting the cap I2 with the tube for permitting the shifting of the cap outwardly and inwardly with respect to the mouth, spout, nipple or the like I IJ. The cap I2 when shifted 55 inwardly will be telescopically tted onto the mouth, spout, nipple or the like I0 so as to close the passage Il to prevent dispensing of the contents of the tube. On the outward shifting of the cap I2 the passage Il is opened and the contents of the tube can be readily dispensed by the collapsing of such tube. Formed exteriorly on the mouth, spout, nipple or the like l0 is a screw thread 2| while interiorly of the cap l2 at its open end isa companion screwrthread 22 for the thread 2| so that by rotating the cap when moved inwardly these threads 2| and 22 will cooperate for the fastening of the cap in closed position.

The material dispensed through the passage l I will be sheared when the cap is rotated for the fastening of the same in closed position on the avoiding undue waste of material.

The cap l2 is at all times maintained connected with the tube so as to eliminate loss of such cap which frequently occurs with the completely separable cap of a collapsible tube.

What is claimed is:

In a container, a mouth piece thereon and having a discharge laterally thereof, a screw closure cap separable engaged with said mouth piece and having a circular recess interiorly thereof, said mouth piece having a longitudinal guide Way therein, adouble prong link having a springy head frictionally engaged in the cylindrical recess in the cap for rotation of the latter upon said head, the double prongs of the link being slidably fitted in the guide Way, and a lateral extension on one of the prongs and active on the other prong for the slidable latching of the link in said guide Way.

TULIO A. BRIGE. 

